2014 Ram 1500 Sport on 2040-cars

Auto blog

444,000 Cummins diesel Ram trucks recalled for water-pump fire risk

NHTSA recently acknowledged a recall for nearly 444,000 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500 and 5500 trucks built between 2013 and 2017 with Cummins 6.7-liter diesel engines. The issue is that the water pump might do the exact opposite of keeping the engine cool. According to documents from Fiat-Chrysler and NHTSA, Concentric-brand water pumps without vent holes could suffer bearing failure, as well as start leaking coolant. This exposes coolant to hot parts of the engine, and the pump itself can become a hot part. Not all Cummins-equipped Ram trucks will be affected. If your Ram has a water pump from a different brand, or it uses a Concentric pump with some kind of vent holes, you shouldn't have any issues. In fact, the fix will be to replace the non-vented pump with a vented version. Owners with affected vehicles will be able to bring their trucks into a Chrysler dealer, where the water pump will be replaced at no charge. FCA will begin notifying owners of the issue starting on Nov. 1. Owners can also get in touch with Chrysler's customer service department at 1-800-853-1403 and should ask about recall "T51." Related Video: Featured Gallery 2013 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty View 22 Photos News Source: NHTSA Recalls RAM Auto Repair Truck Diesel Vehicles

2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn is here to satisfy your cowboy dreams

The new 2019 Ram 1500 made its debut at the Detroit Auto Show last week. At the reveal, Ram rolled out several variants, including the Ram 1500 Limited and Ram 1500 Rebel. That was just a taste, a brief bite to whet your truck-loving palate. As you can see in these spy photos, there are far, far more models to come. FCA just released details on the new Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn, and it looks to carry on its predecessor's Southwestern-inspired theme. The Laramie Longhorn can best be described as a Western ranch on wheels. The choice of colors, materials and details are there to bring about a sense of Texas-style luxury. Though the two-tone paint and LED headlights are nice, the real meat is inside the truck. It's easy to see why Ram calls out cowboy boots, pocket watches and horseman's saddles. Just take a look at the metal buckle on the back of the seat pockets. View 19 Photos The dashboard, door panels and armrests are done in full-grain leather. The center console, instrument cluster, seats and door panels are embossed with an alligator skin pattern. There are chrome and nickel accents throughout and a "Longhorn" emblem branded onto the wood on the dashboard. There's also wood on the doors and center console. There are two interior color options, both with contrasting piping: Mountain Brown/Light Mountain Brown and Black/Cattle Tan. Both are full leather. In addition to the optional two-tone paint, the Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn gets a chrome grille, bumpers and tow hooks. Side steps and wheel flares are standard. The standard wheel is a new 20-inch design, though a larger 22-inch wheel is available. The Texas theme continues outside with "belt-buckle badging" on the truck's side. All the rest of the 2019 Ram 1500 features are here, too, including 4G WiFi, a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 5 USB ports and a center console large enough to bathe in. The Laramie Longhorn model should get Ram's tried and true 5.7-liter Hemi V8, now available with the eTorque mild-hybrid system. Pricing hasn't been announced, but expect to see a full breakdown soon. Related Video: Image Credit: Ram Design/Style RAM Truck Luxury Off-Road Vehicles

Ram ProMaster enters 2022 with tech upgrades and a new transmission

Ram's full-size ProMaster van will enter the 2022 model year after receiving a round of much-needed tech updates. The changes include a more user-friendly infotainment system and a new transmission that improves gas mileage. Most of the major changes are found in the cabin, where the big van gains a seven-inch touchscreen that displays the Uconnect5 infotainment system. Ram states the software is five times faster than the last version of Uconnect. Buyers who want or need a bigger screen can pay extra for a 10-inch unit; both feature split-screen capability. The list of options also grows with the addition of a wireless charging pad, a 115-volt outlet below the USB ports, and a 7.0-inch full-color information screen in the instrument cluster (a 3.5-inch driver information screen comes standard). Switching to Uconnect5 is expected to make a significant difference. It features a customizable home screen, so users can move icons around like on a smartphone or a tablet, and it's compatible with the wireless versions of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Amazon's Alexa In-Vehicle Assistant is built-in as well, meaning motorists will be able to remotely start the engine, lock or unlock the doors, check the weather, or add items to their to-do list. If you find panel vans difficult to park, the ProMaster has you covered. It can be configured with a 360-degree surround-view camera and a digital rear-view mirror, among other electronic driving aids. Power still comes from a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, which produces 280 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, but it now shifts through a nine-speed automatic transmission; 2021 models shipped with a six-speed unit. Ram notes the three extra gears improve drivability and efficiency, though fuel economy figures haven't been released. Front-wheel-drive continues to come standard; it's an unusual configuration in a segment dominated by rear-wheel-drive. Properly equipped, the ProMaster can tow 6,910 pounds, according to Ram. Its payload checks in at 4,680 pounds. Electric power steering and a push-button electronic parking brake further improve drivability in urban environments. While there are no major visual changes, the 2022 range includes a Crew Van configuration designed for users who need to carry people and gear. It features a three-person rear bench seat, fixed side windows, and a partition. Ram dealers across the nation will begin receiving the 2022 ProMaster in the fourth quarter of 2021.